Home :: Family Health :: Hammer toe

Hammer toe - Hammer toe symptom, treatment, causes

Hammer toe is a toe deformity in which the first joint remains bent due to contraction of the tendon that pulls it towards the sole. Hammer-toe most often affects the second toe. Shoe pressure leads to the forma-tion of a painful corn over the joint. Covering the joint with a small felt ring often relieves the pain; if it does not, corrective surgery may be needed.

Hammer toe is a deformity of the toe in which the end of the toe is bent downward. The condition may be congenital (present at birth) or acquired by wearing short, narrow shoes. The symptoms of a hammer toe are usually first noticed when a corn develops on the top of the toe and becomes painful, usually when wearing tight shoes. There may be a bursa under the corn or instead of a corn, depending on the pressure. Hammer toe usually affects the second toe, although it may also affect the other toes. The toe assumes a claw-like position. The condition may occur as a result of pressure from a bunion. Most of the symptoms are due to pressure from footwear on the toe. The condition also occurs in children who continue to wear shoes they have outgrown. The rare case in which all toes seem to be involved may indicate a problem with the nerves or spinal cord. There may be a callus under the metatarsal head at the base of the toe. Initially a hammer toe is usually flexible, but when longstanding it becomes more rigid. Mild hammer toe in children can be treated with foot manipulation and splinting the affected toe. Properly-sized footwear or wide toe-box shoes usually provide comfort and can reduce aggravation of hammer toes.

Sometimes hammer toe is genetic and is caused by a nerve disorder in the foot. Hammer toes are classified based on the mobility of the toe joints.  There are two types - flexible and rigid.  In a flexible hammer toe, the joint has the ability to move.  This type of hammer toe can be straightened manually.  A rigid hammer toe does not have that same ability to move. Movement is very limited and can be extremely painful. In severe cases a mallet toe, trigger toe, claw toe or a hammer toe may create a downward pressure on the foot, which can result in hard skin and corns on the soles of the feet. Your doctor may also prescribe some toe exercises that you can do at home to stretch and strengthen the muscles. For example, you can gently stretch the toes manually. You can use your toes to pick things up off the floor. Most commonly, hammertoe and mallet toe occur in your second toe. Generally, both joints of the toe are affected, causing your toe to bend upward in the middle, giving it a hammer-like or claw-like appearance. Prevention of a hammer toe can be difficult as symptoms do not usually start until the problem is well established. Severe hammer toe requires an operation to straighten the joint. The surgery may involve cutting or transferring tendons, or fusing the joints of the toe together.

Causes of Hammer toe

The common causes and risk factor's of Hammer toe include the following:

• Inappropriate shoes.
• Flat feet can result in hammer toes.
• Weak muscles in the foot.
• Bunions are a major cause of hammer toes.
• Rheumatoid arthritis can also lead to bunions, which in turn can lead to hammer toes.
• Congenital (you were born with the tendency).

Symptoms of Hammer toe

Some sign and symptoms related to Hammer toe are as follows:

• A hammer toe may be painful, especially when irritated by a shoe.
• Claw-like deformity of a toe.
• Callus formation on the sole of the foot.
• A hammer toe may cause a corn on the top of the toe.
• Infections and ulcers can also occur.
• Foot pain and pressure.

Treatment of Hammer toe

Here is list of the methods for treating Hammer toe:

• Mild hammer toe in children can be treated with foot manipulation and splinting the affected toe.
• Properly-sized footwear or wide toe-box shoes usually provide comfort and can reduce aggravation of hammer toes.
• Your doctor may also prescribe some toe exercises that you can do at home to stretch and strengthen the muscles.
• Non-medicated pads may relieve pressure away from corns and hard skin.
• Other conservative treatments include a number of different forefoot products designed to help reduce friction to the top of the toe. These include: gel toe caps, toe shields, and hammer toe splints.
• Hammer toe can be corrected by surgery if conservative measures fail.